Children's Home run by St Hill Establishments Ltd in Kingston upon Hull

Inspection report children’s home: SC385633 1 SC385633 Registered provider: St Hill Establishments Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider operates and runs this home. It is registered to provide care for up to five children and young people, who experience emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The appropriately qualified registered manager has worked in the home since it was registered and has been managing this home since June 2014.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 27 November 2018

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC385633 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/11/2018 Full Good 23/01/2018 Full Good 09/11/2016 Full Good 17/05/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC385633 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which— is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children’s home from abuse or neglect. (Regulation 34(1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

This is with particular reference to the children needing their bank details to be kept safe to protect them from financial abuse. 13/09/2019

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Recommendations

 Children’s home staff should take reasonable precautions and make informed professional judgements based on the individual child’s needs and developmental-stage about when to allow a child to take a particular risk or follow a particular course of action (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.7). This is with particular reference to risk assessments being clear about when other children are invited to attend activities.  Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5). This is with particular reference to ensuring that the staff can gain entry to the children in the downstairs toilet should an emergency situation arise.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are making good progress in this home. They have strong and trusting relationships with the staff. The staff’s consistency and nurturing approach provide the children with comfort, support and understanding. This is enabling the children to flourish in all areas of their lives. Inspection report children’s home: SC385633 4 Admissions to the home are planned effectively. Before children move into the home, they visit. This gives them the opportunity to meet the staff and other children. This reduces the child’s anxieties as they can share any worries and ask any questions. The children care about each other and enjoy each other’s company.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are all achieving in education. Their attendance is excellent, and they contribute to their education plan. For example, one child has picked her own school. This demonstrates that the children are invested in their education and are achieving their goals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are learning vocational skills at the home. The staff and the children together have converted a garage into a workshop. This is enabling the children to develop skills in mechanics, engineering and woodwork. The children’s concentration levels have increased. The learning and participation in these activities are supporting their formal education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are helped to develop their independence according to their individual needs. One child has been taught to travel independently and is now catching the bus. This has been due to effective planning and support from staff. This is enabling the child to spend more time with his friends.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are forming friendships and enjoying new experiences. They like going on activities, trips and holidays. Pictures of these happy memories are proudly displayed in the home. The children benefit from going to social groups, for example a rugby club. This is improving a child’s fitness levels and has helped them to make new friends.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Clear and robust risk assessments are in place for all children and are regularly updated and signed by staff. This ensures that all staff are aware of the risks and the strategies in place to reduce them. This helps to keep the children safe. However, risk assessments for activities undertaken with staff and their family members need to be recorded.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Work is undertaken with the children about how to keep themselves safe. This includes discussion about all forms of exploitation, internet safety and contact with family. This work is re-visited to ensure that children retain this information, and agencies visit the home to complete additional sessions.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There has been a significant reduction in children going missing, with only one incident during this inspection year. All incidents are well documented, which evidences the work staff have done with the children to keep them safe. Effective monitoring and evaluation ensure that staff understand the triggers, and lessons are learned.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Positive behaviour is actively promoted with clear incentives in place. This reduces the number of sanctions and supports children to make positive choices. Inspection report children’s home: SC385633 5 It is clear that all children feel safe and can approach staff, including the newest admission. This ensures that any concerns children have are addressed and enables them to move on with their lives.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children’s bank cards and PIN numbers are stored in their files. This procedural shortfall means that abuse of the children’s finances is a potential risk. The manager has taken steps to rectify this. Some aspects of the home need altering because of the risks posed by the children, for example the lock on the downstairs toilet. A recommendation has been made.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Administration of medication is in line with guidance. Advice has been given in relation to the use of a bound book for controlled medication. This ensures that best practice is being maintained.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager leads by example, ensuring that her team is highly aspirational for the children. She creates a culture in which praise and reassurance for the children are the norm. This increases the children’s self-worth and confidence in themselves. For example, one child is now comfortable with their physical presentation, and this enables them to try a variety of hair styles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The reflective manager has an excellent insight into the strengths and required developments of the staff team. The manager values the development of her staff. The staff receive regular training and high-quality supervision, and this equips them with the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the children. For example, all the staff have had ‘sharps’ training, as self-injurious behaviours are an identified risk for a child. The team feels valued and supported, and therefore staff turnover is low, creating stability for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Partnership working is a real strength. The manager and her staff regularly talk to professionals, and this maintains the development of the children’s plans. The manager is a strong advocate for the children. As a result, one child’s education plan quickly progressed from two hours tutoring a day to full time in school. When significant incidents occur, the manager consults with professionals and is proactive in implementing and creating new strategies for behaviour management. If agencies fail to deliver the expected resource to meet the children’s need, the manager robustly challenges them to effect change. The staff work hard at engaging the children’s families to support and build on their relationship. One father said, ‘I would like him home, but I could not ask for a better place.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager continuously reviews and scrutinizes the children’s plans and progress. This ensures that the children are achieving in line with their abilities and goals. The manager’s thorough oversight and monitoring systems enable her to identify any shortfalls in practice. She then takes prompt action for them to be corrected. Inspection report children’s home: SC385633 6

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors have tried to understand what the children’s home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report children’s home: SC385633 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: St Hill Establishments Limited

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Inspectors

Jennifer Fenlon, social care inspector Debra Boldy, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC385633 8 achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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